Facial paralysis theory
Facial paralysis has a history of more than two thousand years, and its curative effect is affirmative. Therefore, it is still one of the main means of treating facial paralysis in traditional Chinese medicine.
Modern medicine has affirmed the treatment of facial paralysis by acupuncture. It has been reported in clinical research that Bell's facial paralysis patients have no obvious improvement in acute phase 10 ~ 20 days. After acupuncture treatment, 85% were cured and 92.3% were obviously improved, which is not ideal for sequela patients, but it is also effective. It is generally believed that the mechanism of acupuncture in treating facial paralysis is to excite nerves, dilate blood vessels, diminish inflammation and relieve pain. Acupuncture therapy has been included in facial neuritis by many editions of neurology.
Traditional Chinese medicine's understanding of acupuncture treatment of facial paralysis can be clarified from etiology and meridian research. Facial paralysis in traditional Chinese medicine generally refers to facial paralysis caused by facial neuritis, which is caused by a cold. Acupuncture can dispel wind and cold and dredge collaterals, so acupuncture can treat facial paralysis. For central facial paralysis (such as) caused by liver-yang transforming into wind and phlegm blocking collaterals, acupuncture also has the functions of calming liver-yang, calming wind, resolving phlegm and dredging collaterals, and also has a good therapeutic effect.
Acupuncture treatment of facial paralysis often takes Yangming Meridian, Shaoyang Meridian and Jueyin Meridian as the main acupoints, which are three meridians that run along the face, especially Yangming Meridian of the hand and foot and Jueyin Liver Meridian run along the inside and outside of the mouth and lips respectively, and Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian runs along the face to the forehead. According to the meridian theory, acupuncture can mediate the local meridian qi and blood of the face, and can also regulate the meridian qi and blood, so that it can be balanced and nourished by the meridian muscles, and facial paralysis can recover itself.
Acupuncture can directly affect the etiology and location of facial paralysis, and it is an effective means to treat facial paralysis.
When is acupuncture good for facial paralysis?
Some people think that acupuncture in the early stage (acute stage) can promote the inflammation, edema and degeneration of facial nerve, so they advocate that acupuncture should be prohibited in the acute stage, and acupuncture should be carried out after the recovery period of facial nerve edema and inflammation. Some people think that early acupuncture treatment is the key to cure facial paralysis.
Early treatment can control the development of inflammation, reduce nerve ischemia, edema and degeneration, and it is very important not to make it develop into complete injury. However, at present, both views are limited to clinical summary and lack of experimental research.
But acupuncture can be used in the acute stage of facial paralysis. Whether acupuncture can promote the development and deterioration of facial neuritis and edema depends on what kind of acupuncture prescription, acupoint selection and acupuncture technology are adopted. At this time, if the main prescription is to select points along the meridian and the affected part of the face is not treated lightly, there will be no side effects to promote the progress of the disease, and at the same time, the opportunity to treat facial paralysis as soon as possible will be seized.
Acupuncture can be used in the whole process of facial paralysis, but there are different prescriptions and acupuncture methods at different stages, which should be treated according to syndrome differentiation. Experts pointed out that for patients with facial paralysis, the earlier acupuncture treatment, the better their recovery.
Generally speaking, patients with facial paralysis treated the next day can be cured in one month, and patients who recover quickly can be cured in about 2 weeks. In addition to traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture and other conventional treatment methods, patients can also try to promote rehabilitation through facial exercise training.
In spare time, patients can use hot towels to compress the back of the ear and cheeks, which can improve the blood supply of facial nerves and help to recover. In addition, patients can use their hands and face to push up in the opposite direction of muscle droop, which can not only improve the blood circulation of muscles, but also help promote the facial muscles to return to normal.
Keywords acupuncture, theory,